Chapter 10

　　Riley

　　When I stand up from the table, butterflies fly in my chest, performing pirouettes as I look at William. The corner of his lip is turned up in a half-smile, and those blue eyes are on mine as I take him in.

　　He is gorgeous, the picture of sin and desire. Black hair falls into his eyes, and his thick eyelashes frame them to perfection, but I can't give in to those flutters in my chest.

　　True everlasting love doesn't exist in this world. When you trust someone and give them your heart, you give them the ability to break you. My heart doesn't want to shatter—it's already on the brink from my mother's and Linda's treatment.

　　There wouldn't be a way back if I opened up to William and let this go further than sex. I'm not strong enough. His eyes disarm me. I'm a toothless tiger in his presence, and I don't want to be vulnerable.

　　So I grab my clothes at lightning speed and put them back on while sputtering. "Thank you for this... It was... Invigorating..."